Third Victim With Connection to Georgia Battles Flesh-Eating Bacteria.

While Georgia college student Aimee Copeland and South Carolina paramedic Lana Kuykendall fight for their lives, a third victim of the life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria is continuing his two-week battle to overcome necrotizing fasciitis.

Bobby Vaughn, a landscaper from Cartersville, Georgia, remains in critical condition after being diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. MyFoxatlanta reported that Vaughn fell from a tree while working two weeks ago and cut his side. Although he first went to the hospital for the cut, Vaughn’s ex-wife told myFoxatlanta that he chose to leave after he was treated. The next morning, the cut had spread, due to the flesh-eating bacteria, and Vaughn has remained in the hospital since.

Third Flesh Eating Bacteria Victim

Vaughn is currently in the same hospital in Augusta as Aimee Copeland. Copeland made national news for her fight against the flesh-eating bacteria she contracted in a gash she recieved after falling from a home-made zip line. Vaugn also contracted the bacteria from an open wound. Fox Atlanta reported that doctors have removed almost two pounds of infected tissue in the five surgeries Vaughn has had.

All Three Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victims

All three victims of the flesh-eating bacteria are in a fight for their lives as doctors battle the spread of the flesh-eating bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis. Additionally, all three are have connections to Georgia. Kuykendall, the South Carolina mother of twins, gave birth in an Atlanta hospital before returning to South Carolina and being diagnosed. All three flesh-eating bacteria victims have had multiple tissue-removal surgeries to keep the bacteria from spreading. Doctors had to amputate most of Aimee Copeland’s left leg to save her life and plan to also amputate her fingers.

How to Recognize Flesh-Eating Bacteria Infection

Flesh-eating bacteria like the one the three victims are battling is extremely rare. However, the key to limiting tissue damage is to diagnose and treat flesh-eating bacteria early. Here are three ways to prevent and detect the signs of flesh-eating disease.

Whenever you or your child gets a deep wound or cut, seek medical attention. Doctors using sterile tools can keep wounds cleaner than you can at home.

Go to the hospital immediately if a spot, bruise or cut spreads quickly, rapidly gets worse or shows no signs of improvement.

Monitor any wound closed with stitches or staples very carefully. Low oxygen environments are where flesh-eating bacteria thrive.